Green Marine welcomes Port Corpus Christi

(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — Port Corpus Christi, ranked the fifth-largest port in the United States in total tonnage, is the newest participant in Green Marine, the largest voluntary environmental program for the maritime industry in North America.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Corpus Christi as the first port from Texas to join the Green Marine program,” said David Bolduc, Green Marine’s executive director. “With its newly adopted environmental policy, its desire to enhance environmental awareness, and its participation in our certification program, Port Corpus Christi is showing true commitment to sustainability.”

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority implemented an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System in 2007 to improve teamwork and interdepartmental collaboration and just recently revised its environmental policy.

“The EMS has created a proactive attitude among employees to help improve operational efficiency and pollution prevention,” said John P. LaRue, PCCA’s executive director. “Our port wants to demonstrate its continued commitment to environmental protection and we believe Green Marine’s detailed framework can help us achieve that goal.”

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority efforts under the Environmental Management System have been recognized locally and nationally.

“Green Marine certification aligns well with our strategic initiatives with regards to the environment and sustaining the clean air, water and soil that we have in our port," said Sarah Garza, PCCA’s director of environmental planning and compliance.

Green Marine’s environmental program offers a template for port authorities, terminal operators and shipping lines to voluntarily reduce their environmental footprint. The comprehensive program addresses key environmental issues using 12 performance indicators that include reducing air emissions, minimizing community impacts, and demonstrating environmental leadership.

The Green Marine certification process is rigorous and transparent: Results are independently verified every two years and each company’s individual results are published.

For more information, visit www.green-marine.org.

By Professional Mariner Staff